Why Doesn’t Your Physical Therapist Want You To “Sit” Your Baby?
If you’ve ever been told not to 'sit' your baby before they can get there on their own, you might be wondering… why. After all, isn’t sitting just another milestone on the path to independent movement? As a physical therapist, I want to share why forced sitting isn’t ideal for your baby’s development—and what to do instead.
What Do We Mean by 'Sitting' a Baby?
'Sitting' a baby refers to propping them up in a seated position before they can achieve it on their own. This could mean using pillows, a Bumbo seat, or simply placing them in a sitting position with your hands before they have the strength and coordination to get there naturally. While it might seem harmless (“But my baby loves sitting!!”), it can actually interfere with their developmental process.
This baby is all cattywampus! They are not gaining anything by being sat up in this chair (not even strapped in!) - I’m biased about containers.
The Developmental Path to Sitting
Babies don’t go from lying on their backs to sitting overnight. There’s a whoooole sequence of skills that need to set the foundation:
Tummy Time & Head Control – Strengthening the neck and back muscles is essential. This is HOW the very first beautiful curvature of the spine develops.
Rolling – Builds core strength and coordination, and is the start of your baby independently moving their bodies.
Pivoting & Reaching – Babies start shifting weight and controlling their movements.
Pushing Up & Rocking on Hands and Knees – This is where they begin developing the ability to shift weight and engage their core.
Side Sitting & Tripod Sitting – Babies naturally transition into these positions as their muscles and balance and reflexes develop.
Independent Sitting – Finally, around 6-8 months, babies sit up on their own when their body is ready.
Babies need to move through each of these stages to gain enough strength and coordination to move to the next stage!
Why Forced Sitting Can Be Problematic
When babies are propped up before they can get there themselves, a few issues can arise:
Weak Core & Postural Muscles – If a baby isn’t ready to sit, placing them in that position can lead to compensations that do NOT support natural strength-building.
Delayed Transitions & Mobility – Babies learn best through movement and exploration. If they spend too much time sitting propped up, they might skip crucial movement patterns like side sitting or rotational transitions, but most importantly, they will get frustrated.
Strong Opinions – If there is one thing my families say over and over again it’s, “But my baby loves it when I sit them up!” … Yes. They have trained you well! And now they are telling you that they would prefer to sit.
Limited Sensory & Proprioceptive Development – Babies learn about their bodies by moving in and out of positions. If they are always placed in one spot, they miss out on key movement experiences.
Increased Fall Risk Later On – A baby who hasn’t gone through natural movement progressions may struggle with balance and stability when learning to stand and walk!
Yea! I know!!
What Should You Do Instead?
The best thing you can do is trust your baby’s natural process and encourage active movement:
Lots of Floor Time – Give your baby opportunities to explore movement on a safe, firm surface.
Encourage Tummy Time – This helps strengthen the muscles needed for sitting and beyond.
Use Positions That Promote Movement – Instead of propping your baby up, allow them to practice shifting weight, rolling, and pushing up.
Let Your Baby Lead – When they’re ready, they will find their way into a seated position all on their own!
Reach out if you feel like you are stuck.
The Bottom Line
Sitting is a wonderful milestone—but only when your baby is ready for it. Instead of rushing the process, focus on supporting natural movement and letting your baby build strength at their own pace. They’ll get there when their body is developmentally prepared, and they’ll be stronger and more coordinated because of it!
Love, Emily
This baby is sitting independently- look how happy they are!
